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Mancala: FS5 gallery

What parents need to know

Ease of play

The app is easy to play, particularly if you have played the actual game of mancala before. If not, the Help section explains both how the game works, and how the various modes of the app work. The interface is straightforward and makes sense.

Violence & scariness

Not applicable

Sexy stuff

Not applicable

Language

Not applicable

Consumerism

The free version of the app is ad-supported, and the ads are generally not kid-friendly. Depending on the version of the app you have, you may be able to remove ads through an in-app purchase. Also, there are additional themes that can be used for the board and stones; some of these are free, but several require "credits" to purchase. While small amounts of credits can be earned by winning and playing Mancala: FS5, there are also options to buy large numbers of credits as in-app purchases, or earn "free" credits by signing up for various services from partners. Tapping on the FlipSide5 logo on the main menu brings up a few other games by the developer.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking

Not applicable

Privacy & safety

Some privacy concerns. Players on iOS devices can opt in to Game Center to track scores and achievements, and for some games, challenge friends. Players on Android devices play on the Mobage social network. Both networks allow players to send and receive friend requests and post their real photos and names.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Mancala: FS5 is a digital version of the classic (and ancient) board game mancala. The app is easy to use and works like the actual game. Users can share high scores via the Game Center social network, but participation is optional. In-game chatting with random opponents is limited to a drop-down menu of stock phrases, so this limits privacy and safety concerns when playing against strangers.

What kids can learn

Subjects

Math

counting

estimation

numbers

sequences

Hobbies

board games

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

decision-making

prediction

strategy

Engagement, Approach, Support

Engagement

Learning Approach

Support

What kids can learn

Subjects

Math

counting

estimation

numbers

sequences

Hobbies

board games

Skills

Thinking & Reasoning

decision-making

prediction

strategy

Kids can learn strategy and practice counting by seeing the number of stones in a house then counting in sequence to see where their handful of stones will end. Depending on the situation with that last stone, kids decide which house to move. The strategy lies in thinking ahead and being on the lookout to capture or avoid capture. There are three levels of difficulty, three to six stones to start, and live or online opponents. Mancala: FS5 is one of many classic mancala games with lots of play options but not the best help features.

User reviews

Parents say

Kids say

What's it about?

Each turn, a player must choose a "house," then distribute its "stones" one-by-one in a counter-clockwise direction. When they pass their "store," they drop one stone in. The player with the most number of stones in their store at the end wins. The most important advantage is to end your turn by dropping the last stone into your store -- this gives you a free turn! If you drop your last stone into an empty house on your side, you capture all the stones in the opposite house on your opponent’s side. Kids have to be crafty to avoid capture.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

MANCALA: FS5 is an excellent digital version of basic mancala, a game where you are trying to capture more stones than your opponent. The app is versatile, allowing for single player against the computer or two-player games against an opponent using the same device, a nearby device (via wi-fi or Bluetooth), a random online opponent, or a friend through Game Center or Mobage. Graphics are sharp and crisp. The interface is clean and easy to use, without a lot of bells and whistles other than the optional themes.

The themes are basically "skins" that let you dress up the board and stones in a different look, but do not affect the gameplay. Some themes are free, but you'll have to pay for others using credits, which you can earn by playing games or through in-app purchases and signing up for offers. If you have a free version of the app, it's worth it to pay for the upgrade that removes ads, as they are generally not kid-friendly.

About our buy links

When you use our links to make a purchase, Common Sense Media earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes. As a nonprofit organization, these funds help us continue providing independent, ad-free services for educators, families, and kids while the price you pay remains the same. Thank you for your support.Read more

A Fun Mind Stimulating Classic!

This game is really fun! I got it when my brother &amp; grandmother were playing mancala and I was waiting to play... But it is easy to use and cool! I was dissappointed other themes cost money, but obviously fun themes aren't what it's about. The only reason my rating is for 5+ is because of the strategy and basic math skills involved. But privacy wise you can't go wrong, because if you don't have Facebook or Game Center who cares? (like me) Give this FREE game a chance!

Awesome game!

This is an awesome game because you can play with friends or play with a fake computer that's not a person, you can change themes but have to earn them, you can change level from beginner up to expert. Great pictures and doesn't freeze I most def recommend this game.

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